NOTES FROM THE FORMER EQUINOX CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

© Julie A. Kaufman, D.C.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE:

1. Massage will increase the circulation of hemoglobin and other blood products

this will in turn allow more oxygen to be delivered to areas which are healing.

Other blood products assist in the immune process.

2. Assist in venous return and lymphatic flow, allowing waste products to be

removed from areas of stress.

3. Massage will increase range of motion of the joints and assist in stretching the

surrounding musculature.

4. It will increase performance and comfort of the equine athlete by balancing the

muscular system.

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO MASSAGE:

1. Do not perform any massage technique when your horse has a fever.

2. Any pathological condition which may be spread through the skin, lymph, or

blood is a contraindication to massage.

3. Over areas where there is bleeding: such as a bruise or hematoma, or within the

first 24-48 hours following an injury. Please have any injury assessed before

performing massage.

4. Over areas of acute inflammation: Infections or where a condition has caused

heat and swelling.

5. When the horse is known to have circulatory disorders which may be

aggravated by massage.

6. Over areas of abnormal sensitivity such as: a horse who has had a nerve block,

has been "nerved", or where the nervous system has been altered by drugs.

7. Over areas of recent surgery or implants.

8. In cases where pathologies may involve laxity or hyper mobility of the

ligaments.